Imago Therapy
Developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, Imago Therapy is grounded in the understanding that early childhood experiences shape how we relate to others, especially in intimate or close relationships
What Is Imago Therapy?
At Us Therapy, we are proud to offer Imago Therapy, a transformative and relationship-focused therapeutic approach designed to help couples and individuals build deeper, more empathetic connections.
Imago Therapy helps uncover the unconscious patterns from childhood that influence how we communicate and respond emotionally in adult relationships. These patterns can often lead to misunderstandings, emotional disconnects, and recurring conflicts.
Through structured and compassionate conversations, Imago Therapy provides individuals and couples with the tools to heal past wounds, express their emotions and needs without blame or criticism, and develop stronger, more understanding relationships.
When Is Imago Therapy Used?
Imago Therapy is particularly beneficial in situations where individuals or couples want to improve communication, heal emotional wounds, and address ongoing relational challenges.
It is often used when couples experience difficulties in communicating or understanding each other, as it offers structured techniques that foster better communication, validation, and emotional connection. This therapy helps partners engage in more meaningful conversations, ensuring that each person feels heard and understood.
Additionally, Imago Therapy is effective when unresolved emotional wounds from childhood are affecting adult relationships. These unconscious patterns can influence how individuals interact with their partners, and the therapy helps uncover these patterns, allowing for healing and a deeper connection.
When relationship conflicts persist and the same issues keep resurfacing, Imago Therapy can help uncover the root causes and bring understanding to both partners about how their past experiences shape their current behaviours.
It is also a useful approach for couples who are looking to deepen their emotional intimacy, as it provides tools for increasing emotional closeness and nurturing a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
Through Imago Therapy, couples and individuals can move beyond surface-level issues and address the deeper emotional needs that influence their relationships.
What Can Imago Therapy Help You With?
Imago Therapy is designed to help individuals and couples navigate a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. It can assist in improving communication, fostering empathy, and building a deeper connection between partners. One of its primary goals is to help individuals and couples understand how their past experiences, particularly from childhood, impact their current relationships.
Imago Therapy is effective for addressing issues such as frequent misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, and unresolved conflicts that cause tension between partners.
It encourages open and non-judgmental communication, helping partners express their emotions and needs in a way that fosters understanding and empathy. This leads to a reduction in defensiveness and blame, allowing for more productive and compassionate conversations.
The therapy is also valuable for couples who feel emotionally disconnected or distant from each other. It provides tools for rebuilding emotional intimacy, increasing trust, and cultivating a supportive and loving environment within the relationship.
Additionally, Imago Therapy can help with healing emotional wounds, such as past trauma or unresolved hurts, by addressing the unconscious patterns and behaviours that stem from childhood. It can be especially helpful for individuals or couples dealing with trust issues, resentment, or difficulty in forgiveness.
Overall, Imago Therapy can support personal growth, improve relational dynamics, and foster long-lasting, fulfilling relationships. Whether you are looking to strengthen your bond, resolve conflicts, or simply communicate better, Imago Therapy provides the structure and tools necessary for lasting change.
When To Seek Help?
- Frequent communication breakdowns or misunderstandings with your partner.
- Emotional distance or disconnection between partners.
- Persistent unresolved conflicts that affect the relationship.
- Difficulty expressing emotions or needs without blame or defensiveness.
- Struggling with trust issues, resentment, or unforgiven past hurts.
- A desire to deepen intimacy and connection within the relationship.
- Repeated patterns of behaviour that negatively impact the relationship.
- If childhood experiences are affecting your current relationship dynamics.
- When you want to create a more empathetic, supportive, and understanding partnership.
How Does Imago Therapy Work?
Imago Therapy works by guiding couples and individuals through a structured process to understand the emotional wounds and unconscious patterns that influence their behaviour in relationships. The therapy focuses on the idea that many relationship struggles stem from unresolved issues or unmet needs that originated in childhood.
In Imago Therapy, clients engage in focused, structured conversations facilitated by a trained Imago therapist. These conversations are designed to help individuals and couples communicate more openly, fostering empathy and understanding without blame or criticism.
Here is an overview of how the process works:
- Identifying Unconscious Patterns. The therapist helps clients explore the unconscious patterns and emotional wounds that influence their interactions. This could include exploring past relationships, especially early childhood experiences, that shape the way they connect with others.
- Safe, Non-Judgmental Communication. Clients learn how to express their emotions and needs in a non-confrontational way. Instead of blaming or criticizing, they are encouraged to communicate vulnerably, focusing on how they feel and what they need from their partner.
- Mirroring and Validation. The therapist uses techniques like “mirroring” and “validation,” where each partner reflects what the other has said to ensure understanding and emotional connection. This helps to build empathy and understanding between partners.
- Understanding Emotional Wounds. Imago Therapy encourages clients to identify and heal emotional wounds from past relationships, especially those that may still be affecting their current interactions. Understanding these wounds allows clients to let go of old pain and move forward with healthier relational patterns.
- Healing and Creating New Patterns: Through structured dialogue, clients are empowered to replace negative or harmful relationship patterns with more positive, supportive ways of interacting. This process leads to deeper intimacy, trust, and a more fulfilling relationship.
At Us Therapy, our trained Imago therapists can guide you through this healing process, ensuring you feel supported and understood every step of the way. By focusing on the root causes of relationship struggles, Imago Therapy offers a path toward emotional growth, deeper connection, and long-lasting change.
Types Of Imago Therapy
At Us Therapy, we offer a variety of Imago Therapy approaches tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and couples. Imago Therapy is versatile and can be applied to different relationship dynamics and goals.
Here are the types of Imago Therapy that we provide:
1. Couples Imago Therapy
Designed to help partners navigate relationship challenges and enhance communication. Through structured sessions, couples learn to understand and address underlying emotional wounds, improve empathy, and strengthen their connection. This therapy helps partners transform conflict into opportunities for growth, leading to a deeper emotional bond and healthier communication patterns.
2. Individual Imago Therapy
While traditionally used for couples, Imago Therapy can also be highly effective for individuals. In individual Imago Therapy, clients explore how their early childhood experiences and emotional wounds impact their current relationships. This approach helps individuals understand their behaviour in relationships, heal past trauma, and develop healthier ways to engage with others. It is particularly beneficial for those who are navigating relationship difficulties or personal growth.
3. Imago Therapy for Singles
For singles, Imago Therapy focuses on preparing individuals for healthy relationships. By exploring past experiences and patterns in romantic relationships, singles can gain clarity about what they truly need in a partner and how to create fulfilling, meaningful connections. This type of therapy helps individuals understand the deeper dynamics at play in their relationships, ultimately leading to more satisfying and lasting partnerships.
4. Imago Relationship Therapy for Families
Imago Therapy can also be applied in family therapy settings, helping family members improve communication, empathy, and emotional connections. Through structured sessions, family members work together to heal old wounds, understand each other’s needs, and foster a supportive environment. This type of therapy can be particularly helpful for families dealing with conflicts, misunderstandings, or unresolved emotional issues.
Imago Therapy Techniques
The Imago Dialogue
The core technique in Imago Therapy is the Imago Dialogue, a structured communication process that helps individuals and couples engage in meaningful, non-confrontational conversations.
The Imago Dialogue involves three key steps: Mirroring, Validation, and Empathy. Each participant listens and reflects back what the other person says, validates their feelings, and expresses empathy.
This technique encourages deep listening and emotional understanding, reducing conflict and fostering connection.
1. Mirroring
Mirroring is a technique that requires one person to repeat back what the other person has said, exactly as it was said, without interpretation or judgment. This practice helps ensure that both individuals feel heard and understood.
Mirroring allows for more accurate communication, reduces misunderstandings, and creates a space where both parties can express their emotions without fear of being invalidated.
2. Validation
Validation involves acknowledging and accepting the other person’s feelings, thoughts, and experiences as legitimate. It is not about agreeing with everything the other person says but rather showing empathy and respect for their perspective.
Validation helps to reduce defensiveness and promotes a sense of safety and respect in the relationship.
3. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to deeply connect with and understand the emotional experiences of others. In Imago Therapy, empathy is expressed through active listening and thoughtful reflection of the other person’s emotions. It allows individuals and couples to truly grasp how the other person feels and respond in a compassionate, supportive manner.
Unconscious Wounds and Childhood Experiences
Imago Therapy often delves into the unconscious patterns formed during childhood that influence how we relate to others today.
The therapist helps individuals and couples identify these wounds and gain insight into how they shape behaviour and relationship dynamics. Understanding these unconscious patterns allows clients to heal emotional wounds and break free from repetitive, negative relational cycles.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
Imago Therapy emphasises creating a safe, judgment-free environment where individuals and couples can explore sensitive issues. Through structured exercises and open dialogue, clients learn how to express their emotions, confront difficult topics, and engage in honest, vulnerable conversations.
The “Imago Map”
The Imago Map is a tool used to help individuals and couples map out their emotional needs, desires, and past experiences. This exercise encourages introspection and helps clients become more aware of the deeper emotional dynamics at play in their relationships.
By identifying unconscious patterns and needs, the Imago Map can help partners communicate more effectively and build healthier relationships.
What To Look For In An Imago Relationship Therapist?
- Certification and Training. Ensure the therapist is trained and certified in Imago Relationship Therapy.
- Couples Therapy Experience. Look for experience in working with couples and relationship challenges.
- Empathy and Support. The therapist should create a safe, non-judgmental environment for both partners.
- Strong Communication Skills. The therapist should help facilitate open and honest communication.
- Comfort and Trust. Both partners should feel comfortable and trust the therapist’s guidance.
- Focus on Emotional Healing. The therapist should help address past emotional wounds affecting the relationship.
- Tailored Approach. The therapist should customise therapy to meet your unique relationship needs.
- Commitment to Relationship Goals. Ensure the therapist is dedicated to helping you achieve your relationship goals.
How Can Us Help You?
Our experienced Imago therapists at Us Therapy are trained to guide you through this healing process in a safe and supportive environment. We help you explore the emotional wounds and unmet needs that you bring into relationships, fostering a deeper understanding of one another.
By learning to communicate with empathy, trust, and openness, clients can move beyond past hurts and build a more connected, fulfilling partnership.
Experienced Therapists:
Our processes and quality assurance are led by Dr Emma Waddington, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalized Approach:
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment:
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
What To Expect
Our therapists will support you and your partner through the following process:
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard:
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys - Understanding the Full Pictur
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions - Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions - Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy:
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you.
Therapy Approaches
The best type of therapy for men often depends on individual needs and preferences. Common approaches include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on understanding and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Together with your therapist you will uncover your unhelpful thinking styles and find more workable and effective ways of being that are aligned with your values and the life you want to live.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Delves into past experiences and unconscious processes to understand present challenges. Findings the links between early experiences and current challenges can help to make sense of unhelpful behavioural patterns.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imago Therapy?
A relationship-focused therapy that helps individuals and couples develop deeper, empathetic connections. It examines how early childhood experiences shape adult relationships, especially in romantic partnerships.
Who can benefit from Imago Therapy?
Couples looking to improve communication, heal emotional wounds, and strengthen their connection. Individuals wanting to understand their relational patterns and improve future relationships may also find Imago Therapy helpful.
How long does Imago Therapy take?
The duration varies depending on the couple’s needs and goals. Sessions are typically weekly, and the process can last from several months to longer, based on the issues being addressed.
What happens during an Imago Therapy session?
Couples participate in structured dialogues with active listening and empathy. The therapist guides them through conversations to understand their emotional needs and heal past wounds.
How is Imago Therapy different from other types of couples therapy
It focuses on deeper emotional wounds and unmet needs rather than just resolving conflicts. The therapy emphasises empathy, active listening, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships.
Is Imago Therapy effective for all types of relationships?
Yes, it can benefit marriages, partnerships, and even parent-child relationships. It helps individuals and couples understand emotional dynamics and improve relational patterns
Will Imago Therapy help if one partner is not committed to the process?
Both partners should ideally be committed for the best results. However, individual therapy can still help a hesitant partner gain insight into emotional patterns.
Can Imago Therapy be used in individual therapy?
Yes, it helps individuals explore how early relational experiences shape emotional responses. It enables them to form healthier relationships in the future.
